Write an Awesome Essay, Win Cool Stuff!

The Forrest Four-Cast: October 6, 2017

UPDATE: Entry deadline extended to end of day on Sunday, October 15.

If you are an aspiring (or established) author, blogger, journalist, pundit, writer, philosopher or futurist, then remember to enter your 2000-word original essay for the third annual SXSW David Carr Prize before the end-of-day Friday, October 13 application deadline.

The winning entry in this competition receives a prize package that includes a SXSW Platinum Badge, an airline voucher (to come to Austin in March), and a certificate for a four-night hotel stay during March. This prize package is valued at more than $4000.

The topic for your entry is something a lot of us are now thinking about: “In the future, how do you understand what is real and what is fake?” As context for this question, consider (for instance) the recent photoshopped flag-burning image of Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett that quickly went viral.

As with all aspects of SXSW, creativity is key. So, your answer to this question can be constructed as a short story (as opposed to an essay). There is no entry fee for this competition.

The David Carr Prize is named for author and former New York Times columnist who was passionately about writing and technology. He was a frequent speaker at events such as SXSW before passing away in 2015.

If words are not your thing, then there are many ways to participate in March Magic. Also due on Friday, October 13 are entries for Place by Design, SXSW’s public space design competition, celebrating transformative work at the intersection of art, technology.

Hugh Forrest serves as Chief Programming Officer at SXSW, the world’s most unique gathering of creative professionals. He also tries to write at least four paragraphs per day on Medium. These posts often cover tech-related trends; other times they focus on books, pop culture, sports and other current events.

Help SXSW help the Red Cross with Hurricane Harvey relief by donating here.